Georgia Democratic Rep. John Lewis, a prominent civil rights leader, said that he supports Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to sue Texas to challenge the state’s voter ID law.

The Department of Justice announced Thursday that the lawsuit will challenge that the Texas law violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Lewis called it a “necessary fight” in an interview at the “Emancipation of Capital” gala Thursday night, part of a two-day conference hosted by “Kingonomics” author Rodney Sampson.

“It is somewhat sad that 50 years after the March on Washington, almost 40 years since the Voting Rights Act has passed, that we still must fight this fight,” Lewis told POLITICO. “But it’s a necessary fight and I’m glad to see Attorney General Holder has made this commitment with the support of the president of the united states and many members of Congress.”

Lewis said earlier this year that the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act was a “dagger.” As for the challenge of the Texas voter ID law, Lewis called the ability to vote “precious.”

“It’s the right thing to do because the vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool, instrument that we have in a Democratic society,” he said.